Archaeology Notes

An old well, now drained. Traditionally King David drank at this well after his escape from the stag.

Name Book 1852.

The legend of the foundation of Holyrood Abbey appears in more than one form. The version in the mid-15th century Ordinale of the Abbey relates how, on 14th September 1128, King David and the Court went hunting. On halting on the N side of Salisbury Crag, he was attacked by a stag, which had been lying beside a spring. Though gored, he managed to grasp a cross which was fixed to the stag's antlers, whereupon the animal vanished towards the spring whence it had came. This spring was thereafter known as the Spring of the Cross (RCAHMS 1951), Rude Well (Bryce 1918). (See also NT27SE 35 - Holyrood Abbey)